Staff
The best of NorWOSSA’s best received their just rewards this past week.
First, it was the reigning OFSAA ‘A/AA’ champion Muskie boys’ hockey team paying tribute to its top performers at the year-end awards banquet last Wednesday at the Copper River Inn.
Forward Graeme Kitt collected two nods—earning the Barney Maher Award as the team’s most valuable player and also the A.R. “Al” Freeman Memorial Award for most gentlemanly player.
Fellow assistant captain and graduating teammate Max Williams joined Kitt as a double honouree.
The defenceman, who returned this season for his “victory lap” year, earned the Rod Cain Memorial Award (sportsmanship, morale and teamwork), as well as the Danny Johnson Memorial Award (player who best displayed his love for the game).
Sully Shortreed nabbed the Captain Billy Woods Memorial Award as rookie of the year while Sam Tibbs received the Mrs. Bert Egan Memorial Award for outstanding contribution to Muskie hockey.
Rookie forward Cooper Witherspoon, who had two goals in the OFSAA final, took home the Randy Roach Memorial “Unsung Hero” Award.
The following evening at Fort High, it was the Muskie girls’ turn to stage their year-ending gathering.
Grade 10 forward and team scoring leader Annalise Hayes was chosen the team’s MVP while the team’s four graduating seniors each were selected for their own awards.
Captain Rachel Jean was named most sportsmanlike while fellow forward Rylee Redford was chosen for the Shirley Ann Fowler Memorial Award (most dedicated).
Sam McKinnon received the Scott Clendenning Memorial Award for character, with Moriah Carradice getting the Coaches’ Award.
Goalie Sydney Beck was named rookie of the year while blueliner Abby Plourde was tabbed for the Pryde’s Plumbing & Heating Award (most improved).
